RTO Compliance During GRAP in Delhi (2025): PUCC, Vehicle Age Rules, Permits & Penalties

Introduction

GRAP rules in Delhi now work closely with RTO compliance requirements, making it important for all vehicle owners to follow the updated norms in 2025. As pollution stages increase, authorities strictly check PUCC validity, vehicle age limits (10-year diesel / 15-year petrol), commercial permits, and fitness certificates across all DL01–DL12 RTO zones.

These rules also impact key RTO services like RC Transfer, NOC, Fitness Renewal, Duplicate RC, and commercial permit updates. Any missing document or non-compliance can lead to challans, entry restrictions, file rejection or delays.

This short 2025 guide highlights the essential PUCC rules, vehicle age norms, permits and penalties you must follow to stay fully compliant during GRAP restrictions in Delhi.

1. Delhi PUCC rules during GRAP (2025 update)

In Delhi, having a valid PUCC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) is not optional – it is compulsory for all petrol, diesel, CNG and commercial vehicles. When GRAP is active, enforcement simply becomes more intense.

The Delhi Transport Department and enforcement teams regularly check PUCC at petrol pumps and designated emission testing centres across the city. You can verify or pay PUCC-related fines online using the official PUC Certificate services on Parivahan.

During GRAP season in Delhi:

• Traffic police run special drives at locations like Ashram, ITO, Dhaula Kuan, Mukarba Chowk, Sarai Kale Khan, Wazirabad and border points.
• Vehicles without a valid PUCC can face penalties of up to ₹10,000 under the Motor Vehicles Act, along with possible RC-related action.
• Non-compliant vehicles may also struggle to get RC transfer, NOC, Fitness or Permit approved during GRAP months.

Action tip for Delhi vehicle owners:

• Before October, renew your PUCC and keep both a soft copy and a hard copy.
• Always carry PUCC along with your RC and insurance whenever you drive or visit an RTO.

2. Vehicle age rules in Delhi during GRAP

Delhi has long followed the principle that:

• Diesel vehicles older than 10 years
• Petrol vehicles older than 15 years

should not be allowed to ply in Delhi-NCR, as per key orders issued by GNCTD and related authorities.

However, in August 2025, the Supreme Court directed that no coercive action be taken for the time being against owners of such 10-year diesel and 15-year petrol vehicles in Delhi-NCR while it reviews the earlier blanket ban. In simple words, the policy is under legal review, but the underlying concern about old, polluting vehicles continues.

From a practical RTO & compliance angle in Delhi:

• Many RTO processes (renewal, re-registration within Delhi, etc.) still treat very old vehicles as non-compliant.
• You may be advised to scrap the vehicle or take an NOC to another state where age norms differ.
• During higher GRAP stages, checks on older diesel and petrol vehicles become stricter, especially near borders.

Action tip:

• If your Delhi vehicle is close to the 10-year (diesel) or 15-year (petrol) mark, plan early for scrappage or NOC.
• Avoid waiting until the last GRAP stage when enforcement and confusion are both at their peak.

3. GRAP stages & vehicle restrictions affecting Delhi RTO work

The CAQM GRAP Orders frequently notify which GRAP stage (I–IV) is active in Delhi-NCR and what actions are triggered. As stages rise, more vehicle restrictions come into force.

Typical impacts include:

• Stage II–III: Stricter PUCC checks, heavier fines for visibly polluting vehicles.
• Stage III: Restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs (with limited exceptions for essential services).
• Stage III–IV: Diversion or bans on non-destined goods vehicles at Delhi borders and industrial belts.
• Increased use of ANPR cameras and mobile teams to detect non-compliant vehicles.

Recent news coverage and transport updates have explained how GRAP Stage III bans certain BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR, directly affecting which vehicles can enter or operate in the city.

When such restrictions apply, they indirectly affect your RTO work because:

• Vehicles may not be allowed to enter Central Delhi, East Delhi, New Delhi for inspection or verification.
• Files related to older, high-emission vehicles can face extra scrutiny before approval.
• Logistics and commercial fleets using banned categories risk border turn-backs, delaying permit or fitness-related work.

4. Permit & fitness rules for commercial vehicles in Delhi during GRAP

If you own a commercial vehicle in Delhi – goods carrier, taxi, bus, school cab or contractor vehicle – GRAP makes compliance even more critical. Authorities look closely at whether:

• Your permit is valid (State / All-India / National as applicable).
• Your Fitness Certificate (FC) is not expired.
• Your PUCC is valid and recent.
• Your vehicle category (diesel, CNG, BS-IV/BS-VI, electric) is actually allowed to enter Delhi under the current GRAP stage.

Before accepting a trip into Central Delhi, East Delhi, Rohini, Dwarka, Okhla industrial areas or border-adjacent hubs, always check:

• The current GRAP stage in Delhi.
• The latest Transport Department orders on which commercial vehicles are permitted.
• Whether your route crosses any strictly monitored border points.

Many truck drivers have already expressed concern about their livelihoods when GRAP-III restrictions limit the movement of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in and around Delhi.

Action tip for commercial owners in Delhi:

• Maintain a permit & fitness folder (digital + physical) with all documents updated.
• Brief your drivers on GRAP rules so they do not get stuck or turned back at Delhi borders.

5. Penalty rules & enforcement in Delhi

Enforcement is handled jointly by the Transport Department, Delhi Traffic Police and other agencies. During GRAP season, vehicle owners in Delhi can expect stricter checks and faster challan issuance.

*Exact penalties depend on the Motor Vehicles Act, state rules and the latest GRAP / Transport orders in force. Recent Delhi Traffic Police data shows how GRAP checks have led to large PUC challan amounts and diversion of non-destined trucks at city borders.

6. RTO services in Delhi most affected during GRAP

When higher GRAP stages are active, Delhi residents often face delays or extra scrutiny in the following RTO services:

• Ownership Transfer / RC Transfer within Delhi
• NOC for moving the vehicle out of Delhi-NCR
• Hypothecation removal (loan closure)
• Commercial permit grant/renewal
• Fitness Certificate renewal for goods and passenger vehicles
• Duplicate RC or address change in RC

If your PUCC, insurance, vehicle age or challan status is not clean, your file can get stuck even at busy RTOs like Mall Road (DL01), Janakpuri (DL04), Vasant Vihar (DL09), Rohini (DL11) and other zones.

Transport associations have also warned that GRAP entry curbs on older commercial vehicles can push up logistics costs and prices, especially when non-BS-VI trucks from neighbouring states are restricted at Delhi borders.

“GRAP-season RTO File Check” – a smart step before applying

Before submitting any application during GRAP months, it is wise to run a quick RTO compliance audit of your vehicle. This can cover:

• PUCC status
• Pending challans
• Vehicle age and eligibility in Delhi
• Permit & Fitness validity (for commercial vehicles)
• Basic document checklist for the service you want (RC transfer, NOC, Fitness, etc.)

7. GRAP-season RTO compliance checklist for Delhi vehicle owners

Use this checklist as a quick reference before GRAP season or any RTO visit in Delhi.

A. For private car & bike owners in Delhi

• PUCC valid (preferably at least 30+ days left).
• Insurance not expired.
• No pending e-challans on Delhi Police / Parivahan portals.
• Vehicle not in the high-risk 10-year diesel / 15-year petrol category, or scrappage/NOC already planned.
• RC name & address updated, especially after selling or shifting locality.

B. For commercial & goods vehicles operating in Delhi

• Valid State / National permit with Delhi covered (if required).
• Fitness Certificate up to date.
• PUCC & Insurance renewed and available in digital form.
• Vehicle category (BS-IV/BS-VI diesel, CNG, electric) is allowed in Delhi under the current GRAP stage.
• Route planned to follow border and internal restrictions notified by Transport & CAQM orders.

8. How Delhi residents should prepare before October every year

To stay compliant and avoid stress during Delhi's October–February GRAP season, follow these steps:

• Update PUCC in September – don't wait for challan drives to start.
• Clear challans early – use Parivahan & Delhi Police portals before applying for RC, NOC or permit work.
• Check vehicle age – if nearing the 10/15-year mark, consider scrappage or NOC to another state well in advance.
• For commercial vehicles, track CAQM & Transport Department orders regularly, especially if you operate near borders or industrial zones.
• Keep digital copies of PUCC, insurance, RC, permit & Fitness on your phone (DigiLocker / mParivahan) for quick checks.

How Fateh Legacy helps with GRAP-season RTO work in Delhi

GRAP rules, PUCC checks, vehicle age norms and commercial restrictions can be confusing for busy vehicle owners and fleet operators. Fateh Legacy helps Delhi residents stay compliant and avoid last-minute surprises.

With Fateh Legacy, you can:

• Get a GRAP-season RTO File Check for PUCC, challans, age status, permit and Fitness validity.
• Simplify RC Transfer, NOC, Hypothecation Removal, Duplicate RC and DL work across all DL01–DL12 RTOs.
• Receive clear checklists so your documents are correct the first time.

Conclusion

Staying RTO-compliant during GRAP season in Delhi is essential for anyone driving or applying for services like RC Transfer, NOC, Fitness Certificate or Permit Renewal. With stricter PUCC checks, vehicle-age scrutiny, commercial permit rules and border enforcement across Delhi's DL01–DL12 zones, even small lapses can lead to fines or delays.

Preparing early – updating PUCC, clearing challans, checking vehicle age, tracking GRAP stages and keeping all documents ready – ensures smooth movement and hassle-free RTO approvals throughout Delhi's October–February pollution months.

Staying compliant not only keeps your vehicle safe on Delhi roads but also protects you from sudden restrictions whenever AQI worsens.